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(No Model.) I 5 SheetsSheet 1.

M. LEVY.

v v APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRIC GURRENTS.

No. 286,833. Patented Oct. 16, 1883.

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M. LEVY. I APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRIC GURRENTS.

Patented Oct. 16, 1883.

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(No Model.) 5 SheetsSheet 4.

M. LEVY. APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRIC GURRENTS. No. 286,833.Patented Oct. 16, 1883.

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(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

M. LEVY.

APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRIC GURRENTS.

No. 286,833. Patented Oct. 16, 1883.

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UNiTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MAURICE LEVY, OF PARIS, FRANCE.

APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRIC CURRENTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 286,833, dated October16, 1883.

Application filed Juno ill, 1883. (X0 model.) Patented in France January21, 1882, No. 146,988; in Belgium March 6, 1882, No. 57,253; in AustriaJuly ll, 1882, and in England Augustfl, 1382, No. 3,689.

1 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, hIAURICE LEVY, of Paris, in the Republic of France,have invented a new and useful Improvement in Switches and otherApparatus for Controlling the Ourrent in Electrical Systems, whichimprovement is fully set forth in the following specification.

4 This invention has reference to a new construction of switches orcommunicators for connecting and disconnecting electrical circuits;also, to a new arrangement of electrical generators or resistances orother electrical apparatus; also, to a new construction ofresistancecoils, and to a new combination of switches and generatorswith an electrical governor or current-regulator.

The improved switch or commutator comprises a series of switch-platesand a series of springs or contact devices so arranged and combined withinsulators that by the movement of the switclrplates under the springsor contact devices, or of the latter over the former, the loops orbranches connected with the several springs or contact devices arealternately connected in and cut out of circuit, and the number of loopsor branches in circuit at the same time is progressively increased by aseries of successive and alternate increments and decrements, or isdecreased in like manner.

The new arrangement of generators, resistances, or other electricalapparatus consists in dividin a of series such apparatus into groups,sets, or individuals, which increase throughout the series in a certainratio, either in their number or in their eleetro-motive force,resistance, capacity, or some other unit. Thus if the apparatus begalvanic batteries and the series based upon number, the first groupwould contain one or more cells, the second double the number, the thirddouble the second or four times the first, and so on. If the series isbased on electro-motive force, the generators of each group or set, oreach indi vidual generator, would be of a number of volts, say, doublethe preceding and half that of the succeeding group, set, or individual.It the series be based on resistance, then the number of ohms would, inthe successive individual resistances or sets of resistances, increasein a similar ratio. This arrangement in a geometrical ratio of two isthat preferred, and is itself a part of the invention; but otherratios-arithmetical, geometrical, or partly one and partly theother-1nay be adopted. The generators, resistances, and other appa ratusare combined with a switch or commutator, such as first described, forconnecting in and cutting out the different groups, sets, or individualsin the proper order. Thus if the arrangement be a geometric ratio oftwo, the switch or commutator would (moving in one direction)successively connect in the first group, set, or individual, then cutoutthefirst and connect in the second, then connect in the second withthe first, then cut out both and connect in the third, and so on, sothat there would be a regular and progressive increase in the number ofcells or other apparatus in circuit in their electro-motive force,resistance, or other property, by adding at each change a given quantityto the precedin By moving the switch or commutator in the reversedirection, there would be a regular decrease instead of an increase.

The improvement in switches or commutators also consists in acombination or arrangement of devices whereby the generators or otherapparatus, when cut out of one circuit, are automatically connected inanother. These switches are particularly advantageous in systemsemploying secondary batteries, they being used to transfer the batteriesfrom the charging to the working circuit, or vice versa, according tothe exigencies of the oceasion.

The new construction of resistance-coils 00l1 sists in making them offine wire and placing them in a vacuum.

The new combination of switches, generators, and electric governors orcu1.'rent-regulators will be hereinafter set forth, as also certainparticular constructions and combinations of parts in the differentapparatus, which also form part of this invention.

In the accompanying drawings, Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 show indetail the construe 2 A esassa tion and operation of different forms ofthe improved switches or commutators, together with the new arrangementof cells and resistance-coils; and Figs. 7 and 8 are diagramsillustrating the combination of these switches with circuits, agenerator or generators, and an automatic governor or current-regulator.

Fig. 1 illustrates a switch or commutator, and an arrangement ofgalvanic cells, whereby any number of cells from one tothe whole numberconnected with the switch or commutator may be included in an exteriorcircuit. A* 13* D is the development on a plane surface of thecylindrical switch or commutator. The body of the switch or commutatoris of wood or equivalent non-conducting material,-

and it is covered with plates a, of copper or other conducting material,except the shaded portions be, which therefore represent non-conductingsurfaces. The copper is covered on the dotted portions 0 with a coatingof insulatingmaterial, but otherwise is bare. "The heavy lines indicatespaces between the copper plates, which are filled with insulatingmaterial. The numerals 1 2 4 8 indicate groups of cells connected intension and in number corresponding to the numerals thereon. The polesof each group are connected with springs .90 a, which bear against thesurface of the switch or commutator. The latter, it will be seen, isdivided longitudinally, according to the number'of cells, andcircumferentially according to the number of the groups. The springs yare connected with the exterior circuit. In the position shown all thecells are connected in tension. If the switch or commutator be moved inthe direction of the arrow thereon, the number of cells in circuit willupon insulating material 0, leaving 2, 4, and 8 (equal tofourteen cells)in circuit. The next step cutsout group 2, but restores group 1, makingthirteen cells in circuit. The next step again cuts out groupl, leavingtwelve cells in circuit. The fourth step cuts out group 4, but restoresgroups 1 and 2, leaving eleven cells in circuit, and so the operationproceeds. By properly placing theswitch or commutator any desired numberof cells may be included in the exterior circuit. The commutator may bemoved by hand or automatically by a suitable regulator. The number ofgroups and the number of cells may beindefinitely increased. Thisarrangement is designed for connecting cells in tension, and thereforethe cells of the several groups have been described as connected intension, but the cells of each group could be connected in quantity, andthe groups then connected in tension. 1

Fig. 2 illustrates an arrangement for connecting any desired number ofcells in quantity or multiple are. As before, there are groups of one,two, four, and eight cells; but now the cells of each group are supposedto be themselves connected in quantity instead of tension. The switch orcommutatorA B 0* D*, as before, is made of wood, covered with copper a,which is itself in places covered by insulating material c. The copperstrips, which extend around the switch or commutator, comprise two endstrips, against which the springs y y bear, and intermediate strips,(two to each group of cells, against which the springs as bear. Theintermediate strips are connected alternately with the two end strips byconductors a I), let into the wood. Thus all the positive poles of thecells are connected with one end strip, and all the negativepoles withthe other end strip, except, of course, where the saidcells are cut outby the interpositiouof the insulating material c on the copper stripsbetween the latter and the springs 00 when the poles are connected withneither. The number of cells connected in quantity or derivation dependsupon the position of the switch or commutator. As shown, the fifteencells are in circuit. By turning the switch or commutator in thedirection of the arrow, the number is reduced one cell at a time untilall are cut out. The cells may be of primary or secondary battery; orother generators of electricity may be connected with the switch orcommutator. When secondary batteries are employed, it is desirable thatthe cells, except when in use for discharging, be

placed in a charging or regenerating circuit.

Switches or commutators for connecting any desired number of cells inthe working-circuit, and for placing them in a chargingcircuit when outout of the former, are shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 5. Three cases presentthemselves: first, when the groups of all the cells are connected inquantity in both circuits; second, when they are connected in quantityin one circuit and in tension in the other, and, third, when they areconnected in tension in both.

The cells composing the groups may, besides,

be themselves connected either in tension or quantity. Fig. 3illustrates the switch or commutator for use in the first case. Thewooden base is covered with circumferential strips of copper d d, e e, ff, g 9. These strips are connected by conductors h h i i, let into thewood, and arranged as shown at thetop of the figure, but are otherwiseinsulated from each other. There are two pair of strips, f f( and g g,to each group of cells, and two pair of end strips, cl d and e e. Theend strips, d d e e, are simply placed side by side, and they are incontinuous electrical connection, the one pair, (I d, with the poles ofone circuit-- say the charging or regenerating circuitthrough thesprings R, and the other pair, 1%,

with the poles of the other (or working-circuit) through the springs T.Of the intermediate strips, one strip of each pair f f is interlockedwith a strip of a corresponding pair, 9 9, so that the spring 00alternately makes contact with the one or the other. The strips f areall connected with the end strip d by the wires 71, the stripsf with theend strips (2 by the wires h, the strips 9 with the end strip 0 by thewires 17, and the strips with the end strip 0 by the wires i. The resultis in substance as follows: The strips f are in constant electricalconnection with one-say the positive-pole of the charging orregenerating circuit, and are connected with or disconnected from thepole of like name (or positive pole) of the several groups of cells, according to the position of the switch or commutator. The strips f are inconstant electrical connection with the opposite or negative pole of thesame (charging or regenerating) circuit, and are connected with ordisconnected from the pole of like name (or negative pole) of theseveral groups of cells. The strips 9 g are in like manner the one setin constant electrical connection with the positive pole of theworking-circuit. and, as occasion may require, in connection with thepositive poles of the several groups of cells, and the other set inconstant electrical connection with the negative pole of theworkingcircuit, and in connection, as occasion may require, with thenegative poles of the several groups of cells. The interlocking stripsare so arranged that the number of cells in circuit increase or decreaseprogressively as the eommutator is turned in one direction or another.As the cells are disconnected from the circuit, they are connected inwith the other circuit, so that each cell is either charging ordischarging.

If the groups of cells are to be connected in one circuitsay theworkingeircuitin tension and in the other (or chargingcircuit) inquantity, the arrangement shown in Fig. 4 is adopted. Thequantity-strips 79 are constructed as in Fig. 3, and are connected bythe wires h h with the end strips (1 d. The place of the stripsff" issupplied by the plates It, which are placed between lateral projections011 the strips g, and are connected by the wires Z with the end strips 0c or with each other, so that the groups of cells in the working-circuit at any one time are connected in tension. It is obvious thatif it be desired to have the groups of cells in tension in thecharging-circuit and in quantity in the workingcircuit, it would only benecessary to change the connect-ion of the poles of the circuits withthe springs R and T.

If the groups of cells are to be connected in tension in both circuits,the switch or commutator shown in Fig. his used. Its body is covcredwith the copper plates in 02, which are conbattery or other generatorsof electricity, the switch or commutator can-be used to connect inresistances. These could be substituted without change for the cells inconnection with. the switch or commutator, Fig. 1, but since theshort-circuiting of the resistance is not attended with anydisadvantages-such as loss of energyby the short-circuiting of agalvanic batterythe insulating material 0 on the copper strips in Fig. 1may be omitted, the construction and combination being then shown inFig. (i.

It is obvious by this apparatus very great changes can be made in theresistance. For example, if necessary, the resistance may be graduatedas well by thousandths or hundredths of an ohm as by ohms, and may bevaried from a hundred ohms to a hundredth of an ohm; but in order thatthe apparatus may be practically used to the best efl'ect, it isdesirable to obtain in a small compass very great resistances, orresistances graduated by very small quantities. For this purpose veryiine wires placed in a vacuum are employed. Thus in a very small box inwhich a vacuum can be maintained light resistance-coils of fine platinumwire having a resistance, respectively, of 1, 2, 4, S, 16, 32, 64, and128 ohms, and bythe improved commutator, a resistance graduated by ohmscan be obtainedfrom one ohm to two hundred and fifty-five ohms.

An analogous system of resistances placed in the air and graduated byhundredths of an ohm, and composed of six resistances, can be used incombination with the foregoing, and thus a resistance graduated byhundredths of an ohm can be obtaineC-f'rom one hundredth up to twohundred and iil'tylive ohms.

In Fig. 7 a secondary battery system is shown. A is the switch orcommutator, of either of the forms shown in Figs. 4 and 5. 1, 2, 4, andS are the groups of secondarybattery cells; a the contact-springsconnected with the poles of the groups; It T, the poles of the chargingand working circuit, respectively; B, a dyimmo-electric machine ofordinary eonstruction in the charging-circuit, and Can electricregulator in the workingcircuit, in which are also represented a numberof lights. The electric regulator shown consists of two motors havingtheir armatures mounted 011 the same shalt and arranged to act inopposition. One motor is energized byabattery in a local cireui t, andthe other by a portion of the current from the working-cireuit. Themotor-shaft is geared or otherwise connected with the shaft of theswitch or commutator A. The strength of the motors and the connectionwith the switch or commutator is such that ICO when a current of normalstrength is on the working-eireuit the motor excited thereby is justbalanced by the other 5 but when said current rises above the normal itovercomes the resistance of the other and revolves the switch orcommutator in the direction required to cut out the battery-cells, andwhen it falls below the normal the counterbalancing motor has thegreatest power and revolves the switch or commutator in the oppositedirection. WVhen, therefore, the current is normal, the armatures ofboth motors are stationary, being in equilibrium, and any deviationtherefrom is corrected by a transfer of cells from the charging to theworking circuit, or vice versa. The operation would be the same ifprimary cells or other generators were used instead of secondarybatteries; but in such case there would be no need of thecharging-circuit, and it could be omitted. The switch might then be suchas shown in, Fig. 1 The working-circuit shown hasthe lights ortranslating devices in series. Therefore a switch or commutator whichwill connect the cells in series is employed. If the translating devicesbe connected in derivation, the switch for varying the number of cellsin derivation, as shown in Fig. 3, maybe used, or, if there be nocharging-circuit, that shown in Fig. 2 would be employed. The regulatorwould also be excited in a derivation or branch.

In Fig. 8 the dynamo-electric machine B supplies directly theworking-circuit, and is excited'in a derivation of said circuit, whichincludes the switch or commutator A, being connected with thecontact-springs y. A se ries of resistance-coils, 1 2 4 8, are connectedwith the springs w of the switch or commutator, as described withreference to Fi 6. The regulator O is connected with the main circuitand operates the switch or commutator to cut outthe resistance-coils,and thus increases the current in the field-coils of the dynamo when thecurrent on the main circuit falls below the normal, and to connect inthe resistance-coils and diminish the current exciting the dynamo whenthe current on the main line rises above the normal.

The regulator O, as shown, is described in Letters Patent of the UnitedStates No. 27 3,291, granted to me on the 6th day of March, 1883. Theother regulators shown in said patent could be used instead of it, ifdesired; or other regulators of ordinary or suitable constructionadapted to operate the improved switches or commutators could be used.

The regulators of the improved type describedin my aforesaid patent, andexemplified by, the regulator G, are therein shown combined with themotor for driving the dynamo-electric machine or machines and operatingto control the supply of fluid to said motor. They are herein shown asapplied to the operation of a switch or commutator, and

' it is obvious that they could be used to operate switches orcommutators of any known or suitable construction. This combination ofthe regulators of the type illustrated by regulator O with switches orcommutators generally controlling a circuit, as also the combination ofthe improved switches or commutators with electric regulators generally,is included in this invention, as well as the specific mutator with theregulators of the counter balanced motor type. 7

It is obvious that the improved switches or commutators, and thearrangement of cells, resistances, or other apparatus, as described, aswell as the combination just indicated, are capable of a very largenumber of applications other than illustrated by the diagrams, Figs. 7andS.

Having now fully described my said invention and the manner of carryingthe same into effect, what I claim is 1. A switch or commutatorcomprising a series of switch-plates, combined with a series of springsor contact .devices and arranged, substantially as described, so that aprogressive movement of said switch or commutator increases or decreasesthe number of loops or branches in circuit bysuccessive and alternateadditions and subtractions, the additions exceeding the subtractionswhen the switch is moved in one direction and being exceeded by themwhen moved in the oppositc-direction, as set forth.

2. The series of electrical apparatussuch as galvanic cells,resistances, or the likedivided into groups, sets, or individualsincreasing in the geometric ratio of two, in combination with a switchor commutator for connecting and disconnecting said apparatus, asdescribed, so as to increase or decrease the apparatus in circuit inarithmetical ratio, according to the direction in which the switch orcommutator is moved, as set forth. I

3. The combination of the series of electric apparatus-such as galvaniccells, resistances, or the likedivided into groups, sets, or individualsincreasing in geometric ratio,with the switch or commutator forconnecting and disconnecting said apparatus, so as to increase ordecrease in arithmetical ratio the apparatus in circuit, according tothe direction 'in which the switch is moved, and an automatic governoror electric regulator connected with the said switch or commutator foroperating the same, substantially as described.

4. The combination, with an electric regulator comprising a motor andcounterbalancing mechanism, .of the improved switch or commutatorcomprising a series of switchplates and springs or contact devices,mechanism for conveying the motion of said motor to said switch orcommutator, and electrical connections including the switch in the samecircuit with said motor, substantially as described.

5. The combination, with a switch or commutator for controlling anelectric current, of an automatic governor or electric regulatorcomprising a motor excited in circuit, and counterbalancing mechanismapplied to the shaft of said motor for holding the same stationary inequilibrium so long and so long only as the current is normal,substantially as described.

combination of the improved switches or com- 6. The combination of aseries of electrical In testimony whereof I have signed this IOspecification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MAURICE LEVY.

'Witnesses:

Eve. DUBAIL, Girsmv LAPOT.

